Influencers Promoting Unhealthy Products

The question

How to approach this problem and solution question

A problem and solution essay needs specific causes or problems first, then realistic solutions that match them.

1. Introduce the issue and why it matters.
2. Body 1: the main problems or causes, with examples.
3. Body 2: solutions that clearly link to each problem, saying who should act.
4. Conclude by summarising the best solution.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the problem of influencers promoting energy drinks, fast food and diet products to young followers, and say that you will identify the problems and recommend solutions.
2. Body 1: the main problems, such as hidden advertising to children, and their causes, such as payment per post and algorithms that reward engagement.
3. Body 2: the first solution, mandatory clear labelling of paid posts, explaining how it would work, and its limitations.
4. Body 3: the second solution, restricting paid promotion of high-sugar or high-fat products to younger users, with its likely effects and drawbacks.
5. Conclusion: summarise your recommendation, which should combine the solutions and address how they would be enforced.

Idea bank

• Hidden advertising: many posts about energy drinks and fast food do not clearly state that a brand paid for them, so followers cannot tell advertising from personal opinion.
• Causes: influencers are often paid per post or per sale, and platform algorithms reward eye-catching content, which pushes promotion of unhealthy products.
• Labelling solution: a clear, standard label such as 'advert' on every paid post, enforced by platforms and regulators, would help followers recognise promotion.
• Labelling limitation: some creators may use vague wording or gifting arrangements, so enforcement would need monitoring and penalties.
• Restriction solution: limiting paid promotion of high-sugar and high-fat products to adults, as the UK does for television adverts before 9pm, would reduce exposure for children.
• Restriction limitation: brands may shift spending to other channels, and overseas creators could continue to promote products to young audiences.

Useful vocabulary

• undisclosed sponsorship: Undisclosed sponsorship misleads followers about who pays for a post.
• paid promotion: Paid promotion should be clearly labelled as advertising.
• to market to children: Brands should not market high-sugar drinks to children through influencers.
• to be targeted at: Many of these posts are targeted at teenagers.
• to disclose: Creators should disclose any payment or free product they receive.
• to be obliged to: Platforms could be obliged to label paid content clearly.
• to exert influence: Popular creators can exert considerable influence over young audiences.
• a restriction on: A restriction on promoting energy drinks to under-18s would reduce exposure.
• to enforce: Regulators find it hard to enforce rules across national borders.
• a loophole: Brands may exploit a loophole by sending free products instead of paying.

Common mistakes

• Describing the problems but not their causes, although the task asks for both.
• Proposing solutions without explaining who would enforce them or how they would work.
• Failing to name realistic limitations, and listing advantages instead.
• Confusing influencers with traditional television advertising agencies.
• Stating that junk food 'causes' obesity as a simple fact rather than framing the link as a contributing factor.

Examiner tip: For each solution, explain how it would be enforced and name one realistic limitation, since the task asks for likely results as well as the solutions themselves.

Model answers by band score

Written for this question to show what changes from one band to the next. Try the task yourself first, then compare.

Band levels are our estimate against the public IELTS criteria; they are not official scores.